The Isolation Of Japanese Culture In The Mid-17th Century

Japanese Isolation Japanese culture from the mid-17th century continuing until the late 19th century experienced immense isolation as a nation induced by the ruling Shogun. This odd choice of action originated from the Portuguese introducing western Christianity to the general population of Japan. Once introduced Christian ideology spread rapidly throughout the country, sparking fear into the ruling Shogun concerned with their firm grip over the population. This anxiety led the ruling Shogun to enact the Sakoku foreign relations policy, these policies sealed Japan off from the rest of the world effectively freezing themselves in time for two centuries. Japan experienced ramifications resulting from the Sakoku policies in near every aspect,
Thesis? Preluding the induction of Sakoku the country was progressing through the Momoyama period, historically this period is generally categorized as beginning in the mid-16th century and coming to an end in the early-17th century. This period was born out of chaotic turmoil surrounding the control of the Japanese throne, resulting in the establishment of three separate rulers in 1570. During this period Japanese art culture progressed organically as any country in the region would have. As European expansionism dawned, Japan began to be contacted by the western world, beginning with Portuguese making contact in 1543. These foreign interactions and economic trades naturally transferred over into the traditional art culture present in Japan, scenes of exotic ships and clothing the likes of which they had never been seen before started to appear within artists renditions. Works of art curating these newly introduced western motifs were categorized as “nanban” translates from Japanese into “southern barbarians”. The most notable works produced within this movement were the “byōbu”,
This enactment had intriguing implications on Japan’s art Culture, which already had a unique style prior to this policy, isolation only made this more defined and pronounced. In terms of mediums “by the end of the seventeenth century, three distinct modes of creative expression flourished” ink paintings coming from craft schools, performing and visual arts which would give rise to Kabuki theatre, and lastly Japans well known ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The impact isolation had on subject matter within these modes led the Japanese to delve back into history, looking towards ancient literature for insperation and refining their own styles. An example of this is seen in Nagasawa Rosetsu’s set of folding screens titled, Landscape and Chinese Figures. The set consists of two sequential paintings which were made from six folding panels, the paintings depict an images from Chinese literature which Rosetsu pulled inspiration from. The paintings together work incredibly well as a set yet consist of incredibly contrasting imagery, both were masterfully painted using black ink on top of golden gilded paper. The right half of the set depicts beautifully eccentric cliffs and caves jutting out of the water illustrated with beautifully controlled strokes of ink, while the right half depicts